Waterproofing inside a wet wooden hull

[brownlie88]

G'day all
I've recently purchased a 'fixer upper' a 28ft yacht, im not entirely sure what it is, i'll post pics and maybe someone can say.

However my first job is to waterproof the hull, currently it is completely empty and it taking on water, about an inch per day. What I want to do is paint the entire inside of the hull with something to make it waterproof, however.. I cant take the boat out of the water, so the wood I will be painting/waterproofing will be a little damp.

I'm wondering if tar would be an option or if there is an epoxy that could dry and seal in these conditions.

Any help would be great, thanks

[JimsCAL]

I doubt there is anything you can "paint" on the inside that will help. Was the boat just launched? If so, the leaking may slow or stop as the wood swells. If its been in the water for some time, the only solution may be hauling, drying the hull out, and recaulking.

[brownlie88]

It was relaunched three years ago.

[Quickstep192]

You may want to go to the Wooden Boat forum. To my knowledge, there's nothing that can be applied from the inside that will seal her up. If you can pump it dry, you might get a lead as to where the water is coming in. If it's just generally weeping in between the planks, chances are it needs to be re-caulked which can only be done from the outside.

[Siamese]

Somebody on this forum really ought to tell you. Might as well be me.

If you're asking about a paint to coat the inside of a wooden hull to keep it from leaking while it's in the water (or anywhere!), you should not be the owner of a wooden boat.

There are some extremely good reasons why 99.999% percent of pleasure boats are made of fiberglass. Unless you have an absolute love for wooden boats, combined with thorough knowledge of their repair, OR, vast financial resources, wood is a poor choice in 2011.

Sell.

[WanderingStar]

An inch a day isn't bad at all. I wouldn't worry much. There are several reasons she might leak. She might need caulking, or refastening. it might only be one seam or joint. If she doesn't leak dangerously under sail, and only pumps a couple of times a day (you have an automatic bilge pump, right?), don't worry. But no, you probably can't stop it by painting the inside.
Where are you located?

[JoeDiver]

If your boat is sinking (however slowly) you need to haul it out and fix it.

[Flybyknight]

Rock Salt, lots and lots; like enough to cover any and all wet areas.
I'm serious.
That will prevent dry rot, your biggest enemy.
Dick

[brownlie88]

Thanks for your replies. Does anyone know what sort of boat this is?